By Pamela Surumete
MORE EMPLOYMENT opportunities, improved incomes and stronger market access are expected to emerge for farming communities in Honde Valley under a value chain development initiative designed to strengthen Zimbabwe’s agricultural exports.
The Honde Valley Value Chains Development Project, implemented through a partnership between ZimTrade, and PUM Netherlands Senior Experts, a Dutch organisation that provides technical support to businesses in developing economies, is supporting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to move beyond production and participate in more structured and competitive export markets through improved quality systems, value addition and stronger market linkages.
For many households in Honde Valley, agriculture remains the main source of income.
However, limited access to markets, certification systems and value addition opportunities has often restricted producers to lower-value sales despite strong production potential.
The project seeks to address these challenges by strengthening production systems and helping farmers align with export market requirements.
Support is being directed towards improving production practices, strengthening processing capacity, enhancing quality management systems and expanding access to international markets.
Smallholder farmers remain at the centre of the intervention.
Training programmes, technical support and improved access to production inputs are expected to strengthen productivity while creating opportunities for farmers to participate more effectively in organised export systems.
Farmer organisations and cooperative structures are also receiving support to improve coordination, strengthen bargaining power and build collective capacity to meet export demand.
The programme targets four agricultural value chains with strong growth potential in Honde Valley, that is bananas, coffee, tea and avocados.
These sectors already contribute significantly to the local economy and continue to present opportunities for expansion in export markets.
Zimbabwe’s export performance highlights the growing potential within these sectors.
In 2024, avocado exports generated approximately US$13,2 million, while coffee and tea exports contributed around US$22,4 million, reflecting sustained international demand.
Coffee and tea have long supported livelihoods in Honde Valley, while bananas and avocados continue to attract interest due to expanding regional and international markets.
Beyond increased production, the project is creating opportunities for communities to benefit from value addition and local enterprise development.
Processing agricultural products closer to production areas creates opportunities for additional income streams and employment.
Bananas can support production of dried fruit products, flour, puree and beverages, while avocados create opportunities in products such as avocado oil, cosmetics and processed foods.
Coffee offers further potential through roasting, packaging and specialty product development.
By-products from coffee production may also contribute to additional income opportunities through organic fertilisers and related products.
The project is also encouraging stronger connections across value chains by promoting shared systems in areas such as post-harvest handling, certification, quality management and branding.
These coordinated approaches can improve efficiency and reduce production costs for participating businesses.
Additional opportunities are expected to emerge in processing, transport, logistics and agri-based enterprises, creating employment prospects particularly for women and young people within the community.
Efforts are also underway to strengthen Honde Valley’s identity as a source of quality agricultural products by promoting production systems that support traceability, sustainability and market confidence.
